Jessica Pegula could not leave Buffalo Bills behind, even on the pristine courts of Melbourne. Fresh off a dominant Australian Open first-round win, the sixth seed turned an on-court tradition into a pointed statement, scribbling “That was a catch” on the camera. The message was a public airing of lingering frustration over her beloved Buffalo Bills and their latest playoff heartbreak.
A Closer Look at Jessica Pegula’s Deep-Rooted Connection to the Buffalo Bills
Pegula’s connection to the Buffalo Bills runs far deeper than casual fandom. She is the daughter of billionaire businessman Terry Pegula, who built his fortune through East Resources before expanding into professional sports ownership. Along with his wife, Kim, Terry became a central figure in Buffalo sports after the family acquired the Buffalo Bills in October 2014, a deal unanimously approved by NFL owners.
The Pegulas also own NHL outfit, the Buffalo Sabres, making their name synonymous with the city’s hopes and disappointments. For the women’s World No. 6, that reality has always existed alongside her tennis career, making every Bills postseason run deeply personal.
That emotional overlap resurfaced in Melbourne after Pegula cruised past Anastasia Zakharova 6-2, 6-1 in the first round of the Australian Open, marking her seventh main-draw appearance at the tournament. As a three-time quarterfinalist, Pegula handled her business efficiently, but it was what she did after match point that drew attention. She signed the on-court camera with the words, “That was a catch.”
The message was widely interpreted as a direct reference to the Bills’ gutting 30-33 overtime loss to the Denver Broncos in the AFC Divisional Round on Jan. 17, 2026. Buffalo had forced overtime with a 50-yard field goal as time expired, only for quarterback Josh Allen to see a deep throw ruled an interception by Ja’Quan McMillian.
The play, involving receiver Brandin Cooks, became the defining controversy of the game. Denver capitalized soon after, ending Buffalo’s season and extending a brutal statistic: the Bills became the first NFL team to win a playoff game in seven straight seasons without reaching a Super Bowl during that stretch.
Coach Sean McDermott repeatedly insisted “that was a catch” after the game. It became the final, defining controversy of his tenure before he was fired two days later on Jan. 19, 2026.
MORE: Sean McDermott’s Contract Details: How Much Money Do the Bills Owe After Firing HC?
Pegula later shared a photo of the signed on-court camera on her Instagram Stories, adding a short caption that read, “Couldn’t help myself.”
What Lies Ahead for Pegula at the Australian Open?
Looking ahead, Pegula is set to face fellow American McCartney Kessler in the second round, marking just their second matchup on the WTA Tour. Pegula won their lone previous meeting, which came in the 2025 ATX Open final in Austin. The winner will advance to play either Oksana Selekhmeteva or No. 25 seed Paula Badosa in the third round.
Beyond singles, Pegula is also competing in doubles alongside Kessler. The American pair is scheduled to open their campaign against the fifth-seeded team of Gabriela Dabrowski and Luisa Stefani.
